We were all brought up to believe strongly in the nutritional value of milk. It has never really been questioned: milk is supposed to be healthy. But a study published in Discover Magazine suggests that the downfalls of milk may outweigh its benefits.

   Milk causes fatigue, is full of chemicals and cow hormones, slows nutrient absorption, and may not deliver calcium as well as it was once thought to.

   "Think about it. Milk is for baby cows," says sophomore Jeff Ashe. "You’re not a baby cow, are you? Who discovered Milk? Maybe it was Sir Isaac Milkton, and he walked up to a cow and said to himself, Gee, I think I’ll squeeze these things then drink whatever comes out."

   Reasons for not drinking milk vary throughout the world. In places such as Africa and Asia most people are lactose intolerant.

   Some people don’t drink milk for fear of the chemicals that are put in it. The FDA requires that the cow’s tits must be cleaned with iodine before and after milking to kill bacteria. There is a possibility that some iodine could get into the milk, and that makes some people wary.

   According to Robert Cohen’s book, Milk- The Deadly Poison, some dairy farmers also inject cows with growth hormones, such as Recombant Bovine Somatotropin (-rBST). It is found to be entirely safe for human consumption, but it shortens the life of the cows.

   From a dietary prospective, Harvey and Marilyn Diamond, the authors of a book called Fit For Life, describe how the chemical composition of cow’s milk is not a beneficial thing. The enzymes necessary to break down and digest milk are renin and lactase.

   There is a chemical in all milk called casein. There is three hundred times more casein in cow milk than in human milk. Casein coagulates in the stomach and forms large, tough, dense hard to digest curds that are adapted for the stomach of a cow. Cows have a four-stomach system. People only have one stomach.

   Once in the human system, this thick mass of carpustulate goo is a burden on the system. Some of this goo hardens and sticks to the lining of the intestines and prevents the absorption of nutrients to the body. It’s also very acidic, and is the base of wood glue.

   "We all have to die someday, if it is from milk it is OK," said senior Katie Stebbins. "Because it tastes good with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."

News | Features | Opinions | In-Depth | Sports | A & E | Backpage

Contact us: Submit feedback, send a letter to the editor.

The Arrow is Copyright © 2000 by The FHS, a High school Newspaper.